Agenda item

To receive and consider a report in relation to the adoption of the Statement of Gambling Principles.

David Lucas, Licensing Consultant presented the report, outlining the proposed Statement of Gambling Principles.

David Lucas informed that the draft document, including the amendments suggested at the last meeting, had gone out to consultation.  The comments which were received were included in the appendix, including responses to those comments. 

During the discussion of the item the following comments were made:

·           Councillor Dennis asked that acronyms such as ‘MCA’ on page 12 of the agenda be avoided and that the full wording be used;

·           Councillor Fishwick noted the low response to the consultation.  He suggested that stakeholders be asked directly if they had received the consultation and if they had any comments.  He believed that the comments from the Head of Adult Safeguarding were relevant;

·           David Lucas stated that he agreed with the comments listed on page 13, and he could amend the wording, providing this was clear;

·           Councillor Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey expressed concern that gambling was an addictive activity and wondered if there was a safe level of gambling and whether this should be included in the document;

·           David Lucas explained that Public Health was not one of the objectives within the Gambling Act, as such this could not be included in the policy;

·           Councillor Younis was interested to know how to measure and ascertain that the licensing objectives were being met.  He also asked if there had been a review of the effectiveness of the policy in the last three years;

·           David Lucas explained that gambling operators were regulated by two bodies: the local licensing authorities and the Gambling Commission.  The Gambling Commission regulated gambling operations and local licensing authorities regulated gambling premises.  The measurement of how the objectives were being promoted was divided by the two regulators.  The Gambling Act was of a permissive nature, with reviews powers which enabled control.  The review powers were rarely used as concerns over premises licenses relating to the Gambling Act were uncommon.  He pointed out that this was different from issues in respect to operators;

·           In response to a question David Lucas stated that the statistics around the number of applications (granted or refused) and the number of reviews would give an indication if the objectives were being met or not;

·           Sean Murphy stated that the number of gambling premises in the Borough was low and decreasing due to some betting shops closing down.  Also, the number of reviews was very low;

·           In response to a question Davis Lucas stated that consultations in respect of Gambling Policies generally did not attract many responses.  However, the Gambling Commission and operators scrutinized them carefully;

·           Councillor Kerr agreed with the comment made in relation to the wording ‘vulnerable adult centres’ in that it would be clearer to use the wording ‘vulnerable adults’.  She also suggested including the expression in the glossary;

·           In response to a comment, David Lucas stated that there were very few contested gambling premises licences nationally.  However, the Policy had to be in place and was used by the Licensing Authority and other responsible authorities to guide them in how to administer licences;

·           It was ascertained that there had been an issue in the labelling of the appendixes within the agenda papers;

·           Councillor Bowring was in favour of keeping the wording ‘vulnerable adult centres’, he pointed out that this was the wording used by the Gambling Commission Guidance, and also there was a link to the Guidance;

·           David Lucas explained that this was a stand alone document and that different language could be used, as long as this was clear.

Upon being put to the vote, the majority of Members voted in favour of the adoption of the Statement of Gambling Principles, including the amendments listed on page 13 of the agenda.

RESOLVED That:

1)     The Licensing and Appeals Committee notes the outcome of the consultation; and

2)     The Licensing and Appeals Committee recommends to full Council that the Statement of Gambling Principles be adopted, with the amendments as discussed during the meeting.